In light of the ubiquity of cable and satellite, a controversy over the ownership of terrestrial broadcast stations may seem like a sideshow. The reality is, however, that an increasing number of American households are receiving broadcast stations by means
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Entertainment Law. Coast to Coast.®
The Pay or Play blog, published by Fox Rothschild LLP, covers legal issues related to sports, entertainment, and intellectual property. It addresses topics such as contract negotiations, talent representation, rights management, defamation and anti-SLAPP litigation, youth sports disputes, and emerging legislation affecting digital likeness and publicity rights. The blog also explores the roles of agents, managers, and attorneys in the careers of athletes and entertainers, as well as legal challenges arising from social media interactions and private organizational rules. It provides insights into the intersection of law and the business aspects of entertainment and sports industries.
Latest from Pay or Play - Page 4
SAG-AFTRA Crafts Agreement for Influencers
By Jody Simon
While most of us look back on the last twelve months as a horrible dream, Hollywood’s labor unions can actually point to a string of successes. Early in the pandemic, all three of the above-the-line guilds closed new three year…
Blessed Peace Descends Upon the Land as WME Settles with WGA
By Jody Simon
In what must be counted as a victory for solidarity among WGA members and the often controversial tactics of its executive director David Goodman, the leading agency WME reached a deal for a franchise agreement with the union. This will…
Follow up: Faizon Love, Universal Make Nice
By Jody Simon
We recently reported on a lawsuit that the actor Faizon Love brought in November against Universal Pictures. Love was one of the stars of the 2009 movie Couples Retreat, whose overseas publicity campaign aroused controversy when it was discovered that…
ViacomCBS Sues Insurer Over COVID Claims
By Jody Simon
As the COVID-19 pandemic forced widespread postponement and cancellation of film and TV production in 2020, it brought a corresponding explosion of insurance claims by producers. This led inevitably to coverage disputes as carriers sought to deny coverage wherever they…
DOJ Keeps the Music Playing for ASCAP and BMI
On January 15th, the Department of Justice announced it has ended its two-year review of the 80-year old consent decrees that govern the operation of the largest music performing rights organizations in the United States: ASCAP (American Society of Composers,…
“Stranger Things”: Copyright Challenge to Popular Series Survives Motion to Dismiss
In response to a copyright claim that the Netflix series “Stranger Things” infringed the plaintiff’s unpublished screenplays, Netflix and the other defendants filed a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, arguing that the works were not substantially similar as a matter…
Follow Up: Enola Holmes Case Settles, Leaves Unsolved Mysteries
By Jody Simon
Owners of copyright in characters are often well-advised not to press their claims too far in litigation at the risk of losing their rights altogether. This may be what motivated a quick settlement of litigation over Sherlock Holmes.
In June…
Stories to Watch in 2021
By Jody Simon
Happy New Year to all. To kick off 2021, I’ve provided quick takes below on some of the bigger stories we’ll be watching
WME v. WGA
Just before Christmas, CAA closed a deal with the Writers Guild regarding phasing out…
Universal Faces Racism Charges as Faizon Love Sues over “Couples Retreat” Poster
By Jody Simon
The 2009 Universal ensemble comedy Couples Retreat sparked controversy when its Black performers were erased from the film’s international marketing. That controversy has come back to life as the film’s co-star Faizon Love has filed suit against Universal alleging that…